Manipur goes to Assembly polls on Saturday amid tight security to mark the start of crucial Assembly elections in five states including Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. Authorities are keeping a close watch on the security situation in this North-Eastern state during voting to elect the 60-member Assembly amid reports that some insurgent groups might disrupt polling at some places. A total of 279 candidates are in the fray to enter the 10th Assembly.
Official sources said that only central para-military personnel would be deployed at the polling stations where no state security personnel would be present. But if required, state personnel would join the central forces in manning the polling stations, the sources said. Elections in Punjab and Uttarakhand will be held on January 30 and in Goa on March 3, the same day when the final phase of the seven-phased polls in UP will end. Counting of votes is due to be taken up on March 6.